Winning beginning is pleasing for Beerens

7 August 2016

Winger delighted with triumphant start

Royals winger Roy Beerens was delighted to get off to a winning start on his competitive debut for Reading, as visitors Preston North End were beaten 1-0 on their opening-day visit to Madejski Stadium.

He was one of five players to make their maiden competitive appearances in the blue and white hoops – goalscorer John Swift and fellow Dutchman Joey van den Berg also came in to start; ex-Charlton man Callum Harriott came off the bench, and Tennai Watson became the 33rd player from Eamonn Dolan’s Academy to represent the senior squad.

“The first game is very important,” Beerens said after the victory. “I think the main thing is that we played really well, especially in the first half. In the second half the opponent changed the system, we did not so well, I think but still we had control. And if you look at the first half, we can be really positive about it.

“We play football and it starts at the back with the goalkeeper. I think everybody did it quite good. We have a lot of new players so we have a new system, like a new Reading, and hopefully we can continue this season.”

“What we had to do is score the second goal. We didn’t do it so then they think they can do something and they used the long ball, changed the system a little bit and they wanted to confuse us. I think we did it quite well – the second half has to be better, but for a first game we can be satisfied.”

It was the first experience of English football for the Dutchman, who has spent the past two seasons in the German capital with Hertha Berlin.

While he is still building up to match fitness after just a single pre-season outing, he enjoyed his first action in the frantic pace of the Championship.

“I enjoyed it, the speed was amazing of course, and especially in the last six minutes there were a lot of long balls,” he continued.

“But I enjoyed it – I showed myself I think, especially in the first half, but in the last couple of minutes I was a bit tired.

“I want to be creative for the team, I want to push the level up. I have to create chances for the striker and I put a lot on energy in my play, and hopefully the people love it.”